Nursing device



Aug. 6, 1968 T- J. DONLEAVY NURSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.7, 1966 INVENTOR.

THOMAS J DOA/LEAW 2048 2M;

ATTORNEY Aug. 6, 1968 T. J. DONLEAVY NURSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 7, 1966 INVENTOR THOMAS .1 DONLfAl/y LM Jam;

ATTORNEY United States ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A liquid dispensingmeans for feeding infants comprising a collapsible container meansprovided with a top portion having an opening for receiving liquid and abottom portion with a first corner providing a liquid dispensing nippleprotuberance and a second corner, a resilient plastic outer structuremeans having a top portion and a bottom portion and an opening extendingtherethrough for removably receiving and securing said container meanstherein, the bottom portion of said structure means having a diagonallycut-away first corner region for exposing nipple protuberance of saidcontainer means and an attaching element at its second corner region forreleasably securing said structure means with said second corner portionof said container means, said container means having first and secondflaps foldable apart over the top portion of said structure means forallowing said container means to be filled through its top opening witha liquid while secured and positioned within said structure means andsubsequently folded together over the top portion of said structuremeans to enclose the top opening of said container means for sealingliquid therewithin, and clamp means for releasably securing the foldedflaps of said container means with said top portion of said structuremeans.

T he invention relates to a liquid dispensing means, and moreparticularly to a dispensing container for feeding infants and smallchildren.

Heretofore, liquid dispensing means have been provided utilizingcollapsible disposable liquid containing elements. However, the presentliquid dispensing means provides structural and operational featuresproviding great advantages in the use of the dispensing means, both tothe infant being fed, as well as in the preparation and utilization ofthe container means.

Therefore, a principal object of the invention is to provide a new andimproved liquid dispensing means providing a structure which is highlydesirable for feeding infants and small children.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquiddispensing means which will minimize any injury or other detrimentaleffects upon an infant or small child being fed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquiddispensing means providing a deformable nipple protrusion for beingreceived into the infants mouth for feeding purposes and minimizingdamage to the mouth and gums, and promoting and maintaining a properswallowing pattern and habit in the infant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquiddispensing means having a disposable sanitary container means for theliquid to be dispensed. Another object of the invention is to provide anew and improved liquid dispensing means providing a collapsiblecontainer for fluid to be dispensed which is removably secured withinand protected by an outer structure allowing easy and sanitary handlingof the dispensing means.

atent Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedliquid dispensing means allowing same to be easily filled with the fluidto be dispensed and sealed for immediate or future use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved liquiddispensing means with a removable cover means allowing the dispensingmeans to be supported in the upright or inverted positions respectively.

The above advantages as well as many others are provided by the liquiddispensing means comprising a collapsible container means with a topportion having an opening for receiving liquid and a bottom portionproviding a liquid dispensing nipple protuberance, and an outerstructure means for removably receiving and securing said containertherewithin. The container means has a first corner portion in itsbottom for providing the nipple protuberance and a second corner portionfor being secured with the structure means by a snap fastener. Thecontainer means has a first and second flap foldable apart over the topportion of the structure means for allowing the container means to befilled through its to opening with a liquid while secured and positionedwithin the structure means and subsequently foldable together to enclosethe top opening of the container means for sealing the liquidtherewithin.

A clamp means is provided for releasably securing the folder flaps ofthe container means with the top portion of the structure means. Thestructure means has a cutaway region at its bottom portion for exposingthe nipple protuberance of the container structure for dispensing liquidtherefrom. The nipple protuberance has an outer configuration deformablymaintained by the pressure of the liquid Within the container structureand includes an opening therethrough for dispensing liquid which isenclosed by removable sealing means.

A cover means is removably securable with the bottom portion of thestructure means for protecting the nipple protuberance of the containermeans, and provides a support for the liquid dispensing container meansin its upright position. The cover means is also removably securablewith the top portion of the structure means for supporting thedispensing means in an inverted position.

The container means has side walls of a thin sheet plastic material,substantially rectangular in form in its original unfilled condition andis deformable upon receiving a liquid therein responsive to the pressureof said liquid. The structure means is of tubular configuration andcomposed of a resilient plastic material, while said cover means mayhave an enclosed end and a tubular body of plastic material receivableover the top and bottom portion of said structure means.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part bedescribed when the following specification is read in conjunction withthe drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a liquid dispensing meansembodying the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, with the cover means removedfrom the bottom of the structure means,

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken On the line 3-3 of FIGURE1,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view with portions broken away of thetop of the container means and structure means with the flaps of thecontainer means in their open unsealed positions,

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the container means of the liquiddispensing means,

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view of a liquid dispensing meansshowing same supported in the upright position with portions brokenaway,

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the liquid dispensing means with amodified cover means supporting same in the upright position,

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the right corner portion ofthe container means shown in FIG- URE 6,

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the protruding nippleportion of the container means shown in FIGURE 6, and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the figures, the liquid dispensing means 10 embodying theinvention comprises a container means 12 (FIGURE 6) of substantiallyrectangular configuration in its unfilled condition having front andrear side walls 14 and 16, with top and bottom portions 18 and 20.

The top portion 18 of the container means 12 is provided with a pair offoldable flaps 22, 24 formed by the side slits 26 along the side edges28 of the container means 12. The bottom portion of the container means12 has a left corner portion 30 for providing a nipple protuberance,while the right corner portion 32 has a sealed region 34 which does notcommunicate with the cavity 36 within the container means 12. The cavity36 receives therein liquid through the opening 38 provided at the topportion 18 of the container means 12.

The container means 12 are disposable after each use of the dispensingmeans 10 and is removably received within and supported by the structuremeans 40 of the dispensing means 10. The structure means 40 is oftubular configuration providing an opening 42 extending through its topand bottom portions 44, 46 for receiving therein the container means 12.The container means 12 may readily be received through the opening 48 atthe bottom of the structure means 40 or through the opening 50 at thetop 44 of the structure means 40. As shown in FIG- URE 4, the flaps 22,24 are folded apart over the top portion 44 of the structure meansleaving the opening 38 into the cavity 36 of the container means 12 openfor receiving liquid therethrough while positioned within the structuremeans 40. After filling the container means 12 with a liquid to theextent desired, the flaps 22, 24 of the container means 12 are broughttogether and folded together over one side 51 of the top portion 44 ofthe structure means 40 and secured thereallong by the clamp means 52 asclearly shown in FIGURE 3.

The clamping means 52 which may be of a spring-actuated type isreleasable by compressing its ends 55, and when engaged as illustrated,clamps the outer structure means 40 with the top portion 18 of thecontainer means 12 sealing the contents within the container means 12while so positioning and retaining same within the opening 42 of thestructure means 40. Of course, the container means 12 is rapidlyreleased by the removal of the clamping means 52.

For further securing the container means 12 within the structure means40, the bottom portion 46 of the structure means 40 is provided in itsright corner portion 56 with a securing element 58 in the form of aclamping fastener having mating portions 60, 62 on opposite sides of thestructure means 40. The corner portion 34 of the container means 12 isengaged by the portions 60, 62 of the securing element 58 as shown inFIGURE 5 for securely and releasably attaching the right corner portionof the container means 12 with the corresponding bottom portion of thestructure means 40. Thus, the container means 12 is releasably securedat its top and bottom portions 18,

20 with the respective top and bottom portions 44, 46 of the structuremeans 40.

The bottom 46 of the structure means 40 is provided with a cutawayregion at its left corner portion defined by the diagonal edges 64. Thecutaway region of the bottom of the structure means 40 allows the leftcorner portion 30 of the container structure 12 to extend therefrom inexposed relationship. The portion 30 of the container means 12 providesa nipple protrusion 65 having an outer configuration provided by theinternal fluid liquid pressure exerted by the liquid containedtherewithin. The configuration produced is substantially of conical formand most suitable for feeding an infant or small child. The end 66 ofthe nipple protrusion 65 formed in the container means 12 may beprovided with an opening therethrough 68 (see FIGURES l0 and 11) whichmay be sealed or enclosed by a removable adhesion strip or tab element71 which can be removed just before the infant is to be fed by theliquid dispensing means 10.

Since the container means 12 is made of a thin plastic material which ishighly deformable and the nipple protrusion 65 which is formed by suchliquid pressure is readily deformed by the pressure or sucking action ofan infant receiving the nipple protrusion in its mouth and in contactwith its jaws, this structure minimizes any deformation or injury whichmight be caused by less deformable nipples now in general use. Thedeformation of the nipple protrusion 65 by the action of the infant doesnot result in increasing the pressure exerted on the infants tissues asthe nipple protrusion 65 is compressed by the infants mouth because ofthe substantially constant pres sure exerted by the fluid rather thanthe properties of the material of which the nipple is composed. Thus,many serious ailments resulting from undesirable forces exerted upon theinfants body during its exercise of the instinctive sucking and feedingaction, whether known or unknown, is minimized by the deformable natureof the nipple protrusion of the means 10 with its low, substantiallyconstant pressure exerted upon its deformation by the infant.

A cover means is received over the bottom portion 46 of the structuremeans 40 for closing and protecting the bottom portion 20 of thecontainer means 12 when the means 10 is not being used for dispensingthe liquid contained therein. When the means 10 is to be used, the covermeans 70 which is slideably received over the bottom portion 46 of thestructure means 40 is readily removed to expose the nipple protuberance65. The cover means 70 as shown in FIGURE 7 may also be made of aplastic material providing side Walls 72 with ends 74, 76 which are openfor allowing the removal or positioning of a new container means 12within the structure means 40 through the bottom portion 46 without theremoval of the closure means 70. In order to position the cover means 70when secured over the bottom portion 46 of the structure means 40, thebottom portion 46 is provided with an outer dimension which is reducedwith respect to the upper portion 44 to provide a shoulder 78 forabutment by the end 74 of the closure means 70, as clearly illustratedin FIGURE 3. When the cover means 70 is thus positioned, it provides asupport for resting the means 10 in its upright position on asubstantially horizontal surface as shown in FIGURE 3.

The cover means 70 is dimensioned, so that its upper end 74 may bereceived over the clamp 52 engaging the top portion 44 of the structuremeans 40 for supporting the means 10 in its inverted position with itsnipple protuberance 65 of the bottom portion 20 of the container means12 extending upwardly. Supporting the means 10 in this position, asshown in FIGURE 7, may be desirable during the feeding of an infant whensuch feeding is interrupted and before the container means 12 is to bediscarded at the end of the feeding.

The closure means 70 illustrated in FIGURE 8 is of a modified form,having its end 76 enclosed by a bottom portion 80 for completelyenclosing the exposed bottom portion 20 of the container means 12.

FIGURE 9 illustrates in detail the right corner portion 32 of thecontainer means 12 which has a region 34 sealed along the line 80 forpreventing liquid from being received within this region 34. Thus, theregion 34 which is sealed may be clamped with the structure means 40 bythe securing element 58 and avoids leakage should the container means 12be punctured thereby, and also acts to prevent contamination of thefluid within the container means 12.

FIGURES 10 and 11 illustrate in detail the manner in which the removablestrip or tab element 71 is positioned over the opening 68 in the end 66of the nipple protrusion 65 and the arrow 82 illustrates the action bywhich the element 71 may readily be removed for uncovering the opening68 and allowing liquid to be dispensed therethrough.

The liquid dispensing means 10 described in detail provides a deviceallowing the sanitary dispensing of liquid to infants and children bythe use of a disposable container means 12 providing convenience to theuser as well as highly sanitary conditions. The nipple protuberanceformed and having its contour deformably maintained by the pressure ofthe liquid contained within the container means 12 also provides animportant feature conducive to the health and well-being of the infantsand young children using this device. The device may also be readilymanufactured, is unbreakable in nature, highly useful when traveling,and provides liquid in a sanitary manner for an unlimited number offeedings by the use of the disposable container means 12.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawings,herein contained, are illustrative merely, and various modifications andchanges may be made in the structure disclosed without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid dispensing means for feeding infants com prising acollapsible container means provided with a top portion having anopening for receiving liquid and a bottom portion with a first cornerproviding a liquid dispensing nipple protuberance and a second corner, aresilient plastic outer structure means having a top portion and abottom portion and an opening extending therethrough for removablyreceiving and securing said container means therein, the bottom portionof said structure means having a diagonally cutaway first corner regionfor exposing the nipple protuberance of said container means and anattaching element at its second corner region for releasably securingsaid structure means with said second corner portion of said containermeans, said container means having first and second flaps foldable apartover the top portion of said structure means for allowing said containermeans to be filled through its top opening with a liquid while securedand positioned within said structure means and subsequently foldedtogether over the top portion of said structure means to enclose the topopening of said container means for sealing said liquid therewithin, andclamp means for releasably securing the folded flaps of said containermeans with said top portion of said structure means.

2. The means of claim 1 in which said second corner portion of saidcontainer means is provided with a sealed region which does not receiveliquid therein; and the said attaching element of said structure meansis a snap fastening means for engaging the sealed region of the secondcorner portion of said container means.

3. The means of claim 2 in which the nipple protuberance has its outerconfiguration deformably maintained by the pressure of the liquid withinthe container structure and includes an opening therethrough fordispensing liquid enclosed by removable sealing means.

4. The means of claim 3 in which the bottom portion of said structuremeans has a portion of reduced dimensions to provide a shoulder andincluding a cover means removably securable with by being slidablyreceived over the bottom portion of said structure means in engagementwith said shoulder for protecting the nipple protuberance of saidcontainer means.

5. The means of claim 4 in which said cover means is securable with thebottom portion of said structure means for supporting said dispensingmeans in its upright position and is removably securable with the topportion of said structure means for supporting said dispensing means inits inverted position.

6. The means of claim 5 in which said container means has walls of athin sheet plastic material, said structure means is of tubularconfiguration and composed of a resilient plastic material, and saidcover means has an enclosed end and tubular body of plastic material.

7. In a liquid dispensing means for feeding infants having a resilientplastic outer structure means having a top portion and a bottom portionand an opening extending therethrough, the bottom portion of saidstructure means having a diagonally cutaway first corner region and asecond corner, a collapsible container means for being removablyreceived and secured within said outer structure means provided with atop portion having an opening for receiving liquid and a bottom portionwith a first corner providing a liquid dispensing nipple protuberancebeing exposed through the diagonally cutaway first corner region of saidstructure means and a second corner for releasable attach-ment with thesecond corner of said structure means, said container means having firstand second flaps foldable apart over the top portion of said structuremeans for allowing said container means to be filled through its topopening with a liquid while secured and positioned within said structuremeans and subsequently folded together over the top portion of saidstructure means to enclose the top opening of said container means forsealing said liquidtherewithin.

8. The means of claim 7 in which said second corner portion of saidcontainer means has a sealed region which does not receive liquidtherein provided for being engaged by a fastening means for releasablysecuring said container means with said structure means.

'9. The means of claim 8 in which the nipple protuberance of saidcontainer means includes an opening therethrough for dispensing liquidenclosed by removable sealing means.

10. The means of claim 9 in which said container means is substantiallyrectangular in form in its completely collapsed position and has sidewalls of a thin sheet plastic material, is substantially rectangular inform in its original unfilled condition and is deformable upon receivinga liquid therein responsive to the pressure of said liquid.

11. In a liquid dispensing means for feeding infants having acollapsible container means with a top portion having an opening forreceiving liquid and a bottom portion with a first corner providing aliquid dispensing nipple protuberance and a second corner, a resilientplastic outer structure means having a top portion and a bottom portlonand an opening extending therethrough for removably receiving andsecuring therewithin a collapsible container means, the bottom portionof said structure means having a diagonally cutaway first corner regionfor exposing the nipple protuberance of said container means and anattaching element at its second corner region for releasably securingsaid structure means with said second corner portion of said containermeans.

12. The means of claim 11 in which said attaching element of saidstructure means comprises a snap fasten- 1ng means for engaging saidcontainer means.

13. The means of claim 12 including clamp means for releasably securingthe top portion of said container means with the top portion of saidstructure means, and in which the bottom portion of said structure meanshas a portion of reduced dimensions to provide a shoulder and includingcover means removably securable with by being slidably received over thebottom portion of said structure means in engagement with said shoulderfor protecting the nipple protuberance of said container means.

14. The means of claim 13 in which said cover means is securable withthe bottom portion of said structure means for supporting saiddispensing means in its upright position and is removably securable withthe top portion of said structure means for supporting said dispensingmeans in its inverted position.

15. The means of claim 14 in which said structure means is of tubularconfiguration and composed of a resilient plastic material, and saidcover means has an enclosed end and a tubular body of plastic materialreceivable over the top and bottom portions of said structure means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,460,329 2/ 1949 Allen et a1.21511 2,859,891 11/1958 Carkin 21511 2,881,935 4/1959 Garred 215112,939,598 6/1960 Donleavy 21511 3,117,874 1/1964 Horan 215--11 X3,166,220 1/1965 Rabb et al. 222107 3,255,932 6/ 1966 Hunter et al222105 X SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

